Tehran, IRNA – Nigerian Ambassador to Tehran, Yakubu Santuraki Suleiman has announced that his country welcomes expansion of relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran in the field of Hajj and pilgrimage.

Santuraki Suleiman made the remarks in a meeting held in Tehran on Wednesday with Supreme Leader's representative in Hajj and pilgrimage affairs Hojjatoleslam Abdolfattah Navvab.

According to information center of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, the Nigerian ambassador described Abuja-Tehran ties as good.

Surely, Nigeria can make use of Iran's experiences in Hajj and pilgrimage, he added.

He went on to say that his country respects rights of prominent Shia leader Ibraheem Zakzaky.

As he hoped, Islamic countries would copy Iran's move to establish coexistence among Islamic religions as a model.

He underlined that the world Muslims have great respect for Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The Nigerian ambassador further said that development of relations between the two countries will be of benefit to both.

For his part, Navvab said that religious and cultural commonalities between Iran and Nigeria are good grounds for fostering bilateral ties.

Iran is ready to share its experiences in Hajj and pilgrimage with Nigeria, the Hojjatoleslam said.

Islamic Republic is also ready to sign a mutual agreement with Nigeria on the field, he added.

As Navvab noted, presence of Sheikh Zakzaky in Nigeria is a positive capacity for exchange of message of friendship.

Reportedly, there are about 20 mutual agreements between Iran and Nigeria in different areas.

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